"Talking"

Mind link

Thinking


Hekatah sighed as she looked over the reports her spies had sent her. Things had been going well ever since she had taken control of Lengi. She turned to the mirror on her desk and smiled at her reflection.

It had been over three years since the healers had reversed the damage that Zar'rocs spells had done to her and she still wasn't tired of looking at her now normal looking self.

"Excuse the intrusion lady" a high pinched voice said as the door creaked open.

"What is it Gregor" Hekatah snapped as she saw her thin Purple jeweled Warlord butler.

"You have a guest madam" Gregor said.

"Is it that Queen from the Chaillot" Hekatah asked.

"No lady he says he is an old acquaintance" Gregor said.

Hekatah sighed and turned away "send him in" she said. There was a moment of silence. "I said send him in" she shouted.

"I'm already here" a cold voice said as phantom hands grabbed Hekatah and slammed her into the wall.

Hekatah's vision blurred as her head hit the wall. She shook her head to clear it and as she did she saw Zar'roc smiling an evil smile as he watched her. "You" she snarled.

"The one and only" Zar'roc said.

"So what is this pay back for the thousand years of torture I put you through" she asked.

Zar'roc frowned "no this is purely business" he said as he called in a large cloth covered metal cart. "Though I suppose I can have a little fun" he said smiling as he pulled the cloth away.

He ran his hand over the various blades that were laid out on one of the carts shelves. He passed over the jugs of water and bags of salt until he came to a set of silver manacles.

"You know" he said as he picked them up. "You've been a thorn in my side since the day I met you" he said as he molded the chain of one manacle to the wall. "When I escaped and I heard you were dead I had thought I was done but then you managed to become Dea al Mon" he said as he did the same to the other manacle. "You know it almost makes this easier" he said.

"Why is that" Hekatah asked.

"Because Dea al Mon have weakness normal people don't" Zar'roc said as he snapped the manacles shut around Hekatah's wrists.

She hissed as the silver touched her and squirmed for a moment before she started laughing. "You really think silver is enough" she said. "Is that all you've got."

Zar'roc smiled and pulled a jug of water and bag of salt from the cart. He set them in the middle as he plucked a chalice and syringe from a shelf as he took a small beaded bracelet with a cross attached to it.

He dropped the bracelet in the water "omnis fallaciae hostis humanae salutis humiliare sub potenti manu dei contremisce et effuge" he muttered. The water shimmered for a moment and Zar'roc nodded and filled the syringe. He poured some salt into the chalice and set it on air behind him as he walked towards Hekatah and flicked a drop of water from the syringe's tip.

"Even in the hole of a live you had me trapped in I could still dream" he said.

"So what are you going to do" Hekatah sneered.

"I have a few ideas" Zar'roc said as he injected the water into Hekatah's arm.

She opened her mouth to scream and as she did Zar'roc poured the salt down her throat. She gagged and coughed up chunks of blood soaked salt. "Why are you doing this" she asked.

"Because I know" Zar'roc said as he walked to the other side of the room. "I know you cut a deal with my brother" he said.

Hekatah tensed "I don't know what you're talking about" she said.

"Oh really" Zar'roc said as several small throwing daggers floated to him from the cart. He plucked one from the air and looked the blade over "it's called an Alpha spell" he said. "He uses it to make his soldiers stronger and immune to their own weakness which explains why you're not begging for mercy right now" he said.

"So I'll ask you once where is Gabriel" Zar'roc asked his voice turning into a snarl on the last word.

"I don't know what you're talking about" Hekatah said again.

Zar'roc sighed and looked at the dagger he held "I've spent decades trying to figure out that spell trying to figure out something that could hurt those who have it" he said as he held up the dagger. "It's called iridium rare as Hell" he said. "It would probably have been cheaper just to drop a castle on you but this works better" he said.

"What do you…" Hekatah started but screamed as the dagger landed with a thunk in her shoulder.

"So care to tell me now" Zar'roc asked as another dagger floated to his hand and he debated over whether he should kill Hekatah or use her as target practice.

He turned as he heard the door open and cocked his head in surprise when he saw the two people enter. "What are you doing here Azazel" he asked.

The yellow eyed demon smiled at him "it's time" he said then turned his attention to Hekatah and the dagger Zar'roc held. "Mind if I take a shot" he asked as a sly grin spread across his face.

Zar'roc shrugged and handed Azazel the dagger.

He drew it back as he prepared to throw it then he stopped lowering the blade. He ran a finger over the edge as he did the gold sigil on his pendent shimmered. "That should do it" he said and with a flick of his wrist sent the dagger flying.

Hekatah shrieked as the dagger imbedded itself in her side. The power of the iridium liquefying her flesh well Azazel's spell sent waves of psychic pain through her.

Azazel held out his hand with wrench and another shriek from Hekatah the dagger flew from her side and back into Azazel's hand. "Ah how I miss this" he said.

"What" Zar'roc asked.

"Torturing" Azazel said. "You know we might have made a mistake trusting that apprentice of mine as your lead torturer" he said.

Zar'roc shrugged "Alastair serves his purpose besides that leaves you free for other assignments" he said.

Azazel nodded as someone behind them cleared his throat. They turned and Zar'roc nodded at the black clothed man.

He was tall and thin looking relatively young despite his snow white hair and dark eyes.

"Pazuzu" Zar'roc said.

Pazuzu had been one of Azazel's thirteen apprentices making him very skilled in what he did. Pazuzu was the master demon of fear meaning not only could he read a person's fears but he could bring them to life.

"My lord" Pazuzu said as he knelt.

"Why did you bring him" Zar'roc asked.

"I had a feeling that you wouldn't be done by the time I got here so…" Azazel started.

"So he brought me to keep Hekatah busy well you attend to other things" Pazuzu finished.

Zar'roc nodded and stepped aside.

Pazuzu walked across the room stopping close to Hekatah. He raised his hand as he looked into his palm its shadow fell over her face "interesting" Pazuzu said.

"What" Azazel asked.

"Her greatest fear" Pazuzu said. "Is your part of Hell."

Hekatah's eyes widened and she started struggling. She gasped in pain as the dagger in her shoulder cut deeper into her semi-melted flesh.

"Have at her" Zar'roc said. Then his eyes took on their icy glaze "but keep her alive that kill belongs to me" he said too softly.

Pazuzu gulped but nodded bowing once more to Zar'roc and giving a salute to Azazel. He vanished in a burst of flame taking Hekatah with him.

"Shall we" Azazel asked a moment later.

"Go on ahead" Zar'roc said.

Azazel nodded and vanished in a wave of black flame.

Zar'roc waited a moment before he walked over to Hekatah's desk and started rifling through the various compartments. "There" he said as something soft fell into his hand from a secret compartment.

He stared for a moment at the long white feather that still held a measure of the power he knew all too well. "I will find you Gabriel and you will pay for what you did" Zar'roc said as he vanished the feather.

"Who are you and what are you doing here" a voice said.

Zar'roc turned and found himself face to face with the point of a silver tipped Lengani spear. His eyes flicked from the point to the man holding it.

"Who are you" the officer asked again.

Zar'roc raised his right hand clasped in a loose fist and the man jabbed him. Zar'roc hissed at the man as light flashed off his Blood jewel.

The officer fell to his knees gasping "your blood is boiling" Zar'roc said with malevolent quietness. "Soon your organs will overheat" he said. "And then your mind will be nothing but hot ash" he said.

Gasping as he fought his own body heat the Lengani officer pulled a small bronze whistle from his belt. He raised it to his lips and blew the sound was pitiful hardly more than a squeak but it activated the spells in the whistle.

"Damn" Zar'roc said as alarms started blaring. He released the heat spell on the officer and with a twitch of his finger hurled the man into the wall. Zar'roc ran from the room heading for the spiral staircase that would take him to the top of Hekatah's tower. He looked over his shoulder as he heard shouts and running footsteps right behind him. Cursing silently Zar'roc flicked a thought to outside the city.

Zar'roc increased his speed but skidded to a stop when he came to a sheer ledge and a six hundred foot drop to the ground below.

Zar'roc spun as he heard the sound of spears being leveled and someone drawing a sword. His mind raced as he worked out the odds forty Sapphire and Red jeweled Warlords all holding silver tipped spears and a Ebon-gray jeweled Prince with a glowing gold sword.

Zar'roc smiled as he recognized the Prince "hello Sergeant Gamble" he said.

"Silence slave" Prince Gamble spat. "And it's General Gamble" he said.

Zar'roc shrugged "Sergeant or General it makes no difference you're still more of a slave than I ever was" he said.

Gamble's face reddened with fury as he raised his sword. "Where is the High Priestess" he asked.

Zar'roc scratched his chin as if thinking "I'd love to tell you but I'm needed elsewhere" he said before he took a step back and fell from the ledge.

"no" Gamble shouted and ran for the ledge but he pulled up short and fell on his back as something dark rose from below blocking out the sun.

"Burn them alive" Zar'rocs voice said.

"With pleasure" came a female voice in Gamble's mind.

Black flames burst from the black shape's maw heading straight for him. Gamble linked minds with his soldiers and snatching their power created a dome shield over them. The black flames hit the shield and flowed over it like liquid until they were completely submerged.

There was a concussion followed by a crack and the shield shattered as the flames faded.

Gamble blinked and finally recognized the dark shape as Zar'roc standing on the back of a black dragon. "You" Gamble gasped. "You can't be…" he said.

"I am" Zar'roc said.

"How could you break that shield not even the Ebony is strong enough to break a shield like that" Gamble said.

"True but I don't wear the Ebony" Zar'roc said.

"Then what…" gamble stopped as he saw the strange red and black glow coming from Zar'rocs pendent. "The Blood" Gamble whispered.

Instead of answering Zar'roc called in a strange sphere that looked like a ball of mist. He tapped Terra and she turned angling him towards the city. "Let this be a lesson to all Lengani who would dare to oppose Kaeleer" he said.

Suddenly the world telescoped and he, Terra, Gamble, and the soldiers were now standing in the middle of Draga's large central square. The center was empty apart from a large fountain but the outer edges were filled with frightened Lengani their scared eyes locked on Zar'roc and the people he had brought.

"This is the price for what you have done" Zar'roc said as he held up the misty orb. "For centuries your people have destroyed the realms and sucked the land dry of the magic that once lived within it. You've taken the old ways of the Blood and twisted them until they became a horrible disfigurement of what they once were" he said. "So heed this warning for it will be your last. This is the price to all those who seek destruction of who the Blood are" he said and with that the orb fell from his hand and shattered.

Mist rolled out from the shattered fragments flowing up and outwards until it formed a dome that stopped before the first ring of Lengani onlookers. Terra flapped her wings once and they were in the air outside the dome.

"If you don't change this will be nothing compared to what happens to the rest of you" he said before he and Terra caught the Blood Wind and vanished.

For a long moment no one in square moved. They stood in silence and listened. The onlookers heard the scuffling of the confused soldiers as they wondered through the mist. A moment later they heard the soft clicking of claws on stone then everything was silent. One of the soldiers screamed and there was loud roar something that was half way between a canine snarl and a reptilian growl. The soldier screamed again and the onlookers started gagging as they heard the tearing, squishing, and snapping of a person being brutally mauled. Bits of blood, gore splattered chunks of bone, and organs flew free of the mist as the man died. Then more soldiers screamed as they met the same fate.

Finally an hour later the mist cleared the onlookers stared in horrified fascination at the soupy remains of the soldiers and the one man that was left. General Gamble sat leaning against the fountain alive his eyes burnt out.

The first of the onlookers cautiously began to move forward but they froze as the strange reptilian canine roar filled the air again and the creature dropped its sight shield.

It was about seven feet long from muzzle to tail tip the body had the shape of a large dog with a long dragon like tail. Small motley colored scales covered the creature except around its two golden slit like eyes where they became swirls of crimson that darkened to a deep black that matched the thing's Midnight jewel.

It howled again revealing gore stained knife edged teeth. The monster cast one last blood curdling stare at the Lengani before it vanished folding in on itself until it became smoke and spiraled into the ground.


Eragon ran as quickly and quietly down the narrow dim staircase that would take him to the dungeon. He stopped as he reached the landing at the bottom and crept around the corner stopping when he saw the guard.

The man was fat and wore a strange kind of armor that had been cut in the shape of a noble's clothing. As the man turned and saw he Eragon saw the rest. He saw the giant crescent axe the man was holding he saw the man's right hand that burned with ethereal flames and he saw the top half of a human skull that had been made into a mask covering the top of the guard's face.

The man laughed a sound of insane glee that sent a shiver up Eragon's spine. He readied himself as the guard hefted the axe to one shoulder and charged.

Fire shot from the burning hand straight for Eragon's chest. But he didn't move instead he flicked Undbitr up and spinning the blade slightly sent the fire hurtling in another direction.

"Just a little more" Eragon thought as the guard came closer.

"There." Eragon jumped to the side as the man came close. He slashed Undbitr up into the man's stomach the blade cutting through armor and flesh like cloth. Eragon pulled the blade free and spun creating a second deeper slash that bisected the first.

The guard gave one last insane laugh before he fell on his back dead as a mixture of putrid yellow fat, blood, and entrails leaked from the slashes in his stomach.

Wordlessly Eragon snatched the blood soaked iron keys from the man's belt and moved to the first cell.

Eragon quickly unlocked the cells herding the prisoners out and waving off their thanks. The dungeon was quiet by the time he unlocked the last cell and saw the old man with long ragged hair. He was asleep bound to the wall by chains.

"Come on old man you're free" Eragon said.

The man didn't move didn't even twitch.

"Alright I'll help you then" Eragon said as he sheathed Undbitr and walked into the small cell. He knelt by the wall and pulled at the thick iron rings that held the chains in place. "Let me see if I can loosen these chains" he said.

"Even if you can I'll stay" the old man said.

"What are you talking about why would you do that" Eragon asked.

"Because this was my home" the man said.

Eragon stopped and turned to the man and after a moment he recognized him. He looked older but he knew him. "Brom" Eragon asked his voice barely a whisper.

The old man turned to Eragon his eyes wide with surprise "Eragon" he said. "I thought… they told me you were dead" Brom said.

Eragon didn't say anything instead he started pulling harder on the chains.

"You can't break them they were forged with as dark magic as much as metal" Brom said.

"Then how can I free you" Eragon asked.

"You can't" Brom said.

"This is my fault" Eragon said. "I'm the one who let Zar'roc out in the first place."

"No it was me" Brom said.

"What" Eragon asked.

"You were about four or five when it happened" Brom said as his eyes grew distant. "I felt so alone there in Carvahall. Then one day a man came to me. A man with yellow eyes" he said.

"Zar'roc" Eragon asked.

"No but it was one of his demons. A foul creature named Azazel" Brom said. "He told me that he could give me anything for a price" he said. "He said he could bring Selena back" he said. "I knew his kind. They make deals for Zar'roc collecting souls for him but when he told me all it would cost me was to see him again in few months I jumped on the deal" Brom said. "The demon smiled and said it had been done" he said. "But as he turned to leave I took my sword and tried to kill him" he said. "I wounded him but he was stronger. He told me that the price for that was a curse. He told me that well I would live if I ever saw Selena again we would both die in that moment" he said.

"But what does that have to do with Zar'roc" Eragon asked.

"Azazel came back just like he said but he wasn't here for me" Brom said. "He came for you. He cast many spells on you the only one I know about was the compulsion he wove around you so you would release Zar'roc" he said.

"So when we left you were looking for him to" Eragon said.

"Yes" Brom said. "And when the Ra'zac poisoned me and you put me in my tomb he came to me in the realm of the dead and offered me another deal. Another ten years of life in exchange for my soul" he said. "So Azazel marked my soul for death" he said. "After I came back I spent a few months looking for Azazel and when I found nothing I came back here" he said.

"But it's been more than ten years how are you still alive" Eragon asked. Brom sighed

"I'm sorry Eragon but perhaps it would have been better if I stayed dead" he said.

"What do you mean" Eragon asked.

"When I came back to Carvahall I tried everything to remove the mark on my soul priests, mages, even my most powerful spells couldn't touch it" Brom said. "So I brought the sorcerer here" he said.

"You brought Malachi here" Eragon asked.

"I offered him everything I had my power, my gold, my knowledge. And he succeeded with his magic and mirrors he reached into oblivion and removed the mark from my soul" he said.

"What did Malachi want" Eragon asked.

"I'm sorry Eragon" Brom said. "Azazel or Malachi must have done something to me because I never would have done it otherwise" he said.

"What" Eragon asked.

"He wanted Roran" Brom said.

"What" Eragon shouted.

"But Roran is trapped in Zar'rocs citadel" he said.

"No" Brom said. "He hides here" he said.

"What do you mean hides" Eragon asked.

"Compulsion spells like what Galbatorix used on Murtagh can only bend the body to their will" Brom said. "But Zar'roc is a master of compulsion. he created a mask infused with a spell that not only imprisoned the body but the mind and soul as well creating a soldier with dark power that was forever loyal" he said.

Suddenly everything snapped into place in Eragon's mind. "No he can't be Roran" he said.

"That creature is Roran" Brom said. "Or at least what's left of him and now he infects those who follow him giving their bodies to demons to use as vessels" he said.

Eragon sighed and looked away not wanting to believe the painful truth but accepting it all the same.

"There is one thing I need you to do" Brom said.

"Just ask" Eragon said.

With grim resignation Brom reached forward and drew Undbitr from its sheath. He took Eragon's hand and wrapped it around the hilt well he placed the point over his own heart.

Eragon stared in horror for a long moment.

"We both have things to answer for" Brom said. "And I'm ready to answer for mine" he said.

Eragon shook his head "no I can't" he said.

"You have to" Brom said. "It is my fault that Zar'roc escaped and that Malachi is here and as long as I'm alive they will remain" he said. "They will never let me die."

A deep sadness filled Eragon so deep that he felt it in his bones. His eyes widened as he heard the hiss of steam and a dim radiance filled the cell. He looked down at Undbitr and saw that the blue blade had turned white and burned with inner fire.

"This is the other side of the sword's power" a soft female voice said in his mind. "Well it can punish the guilty it can also forgive the innocent" the voice said.

Eragon looked away and pushed forward.

Light burst from Brom as the sword pierced his heart and the old man gave a contented sigh before he was still.

Eragon sheathed Undbitr and ran from the room. But as he passed the threshold the room spun and seemed to fold in on itself.

Eragon staggered as the room stilled and he found himself in a completely different room higher in the castle staring at two large doors carved from black fireglass. As Eragon looked at them he could feel the dark presence behind them.

He drew Undbitr letting the rage was over him. He walked forward and pushed and pulled at the doors trying to get them open. "Malachi" Eragon shouted as he slammed Undbitr's pumble against the door. "I'm here" he shouted. "Isn't that what you want" he said as he slammed a fist against the door.

Then he stopped as heard something. He turned and saw fifty men all streaked with blood, dirt, and sweat and all of them with black eyes.

Eragon drew the silver short sword Eli had given him. "Come on" he growled. Eragon spun as he heard a lock click open and the doors swing inward. Taking one last look at the possessed fighters behind him Eragon walked in the doors closing behind him and trapping him inside.

Eragon walked down the path lined with torches and black mirrors towards the throne at the end.

He stopped as he heard a girl shout "no stop it's a trap." Eragon turned and saw the girl she was of about eight or nine middle height and thin with high regal features shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

Looking away from her Eragon focused on the man who sat hunched forward in the throne. his skin was ghost pale made lighter by the dark red robes he wore that flowed over the sides of the throne like waterfalls and his long dark hair woven into several braids and capped with gold beads.

"Long is the road the warrior walks in the name of his cause" the man said as he looked up.

Eragon saw his cruel wine red eyes and some kind of arcane script scared into one side of his face. In those eyes Eragon read a lifetime of evil and knew this was Malachi.

"Yet longer still is the journey home to the land of his father" Malachi said and smiled showing teeth that looked more like a wolf's fangs. "I've been waiting for you" he said.

"You aren't fit to sit on that throne" Eragon said.

"It should be Roran or Brom."

"Your father was a child a pathetic fool who made a pact with the Devil" Malachi said. "He betrayed you and now your soul is damned" he said.

"Get up" Eragon shouted at him.

Malachi smiled "are you still the good loyal son" he asked.

Eragon ran forward Undbitr leveled at Malachi's chest.

Malachi leapt up and swept his hands from the top of his head down and outward in a V like motion as he did he vanished dissolving into black smoke.

Eragon spun looking around the room searching for Malachi. "Malachi" he shouted. "Malachi you coward" he said then giving the room one last sweep with his eyes he ran to the girl's cage.

"Are you okay" he asked.

"Yes I'm fine" she said. "I'm Anna" she said.

"I'm Eragon" Eragon said as he raised Undbitr the pumble poised to strike the lock.

"Wait" Anna said stopping Eragon. "You're the one he's been talking about please leave now" she said. "It's a trap they want your soul" she said.

"Well they're going to be disappointed then" Eragon said as he smashed the lock off the cage.

Anna opened her mouth to say something but a scream came out instead.

Eragon gasped in pain as something stabbed him. He looked down and saw the end of the thin sword that had passed completely through the meat of his shoulder. He cried out as the sword was pulled from his shoulder and something grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him.

Eragon landed in a heap on the floor. Struggling he picked up Undbitr and looked up as his vision cleared. He found himself staring into the empty eyes of the masked warrior.

"Listen to me" he said as he cautiously got to his feet. "If you can hear me Roran you don't have to do this" he said.

The warrior sheathed his sword and drew a larger one from his back. In the same motion in a two handed grip swung it at Eragon.

Eragon brought up Undbitr to block but the force of the blow sent him stumbling backwards. Eragon spun and using the momentum pulled a drawn and loaded crossbow from beneath his cloak. "Listen to me Roran" he shouted as he leveled it at the warrior.

The warrior smacked the crossbow from Eragon's hand and aimed for his neck on the backswing.

Eragon ducked snatching up his short sword as he did. The warrior's sword swung down on him and Eragon crossed the swords blocking as he got to his feet. "Run Anna" he shouted as he attacked shooting into a series of lightning quick spinning combinations.

Anna pushed the door to the cage open and ran. She stopped peeking out from behind a pillar close to the door.

The warrior swung at Eragon again but this time he was ready. He blocked with both swords and pushed the warrior away. "Where is your master Roran" Eragon shouted. "Where are you Malachi hiding in the shadows."

"Why should I hide" Malachi said.

Eragon turned and saw him at the other end of the L shaped room.

"I want you here" he said. "Every step you have taken led you to here every. Pain you suffered was punishment for your crimes. My master will have your soul" he said as he swept his robes aside and walked towards the dark wall at the end of the chamber.

"See what the Devil has sent to claim you" he said as he pulled away a large black cloth revealing a giant mirror as tall as the room set in a stone frame the glass was black but something was inside it.

Eragon stared in horror at the demon as it clawed at the glass trying to break through. The monster was as tall as the mirror its heavy muscles covered by fire cracked skin. Its head was a crown of bone with no eyes only a roaring mouth that belched flame.

"This beast will not fail to drag you back to Hell" Malachi shouted. "Your soul is damned."

"Dear god" Eragon said.

There was a loud crash and the sound of glass shattering. Eragon spun as two dark shapes were flung into the room.

Eragon leapt out of the way as they came to a stop. "Saphira" he shouted when he saw that the shapes had been Saphira and Thorn with Murtagh and Eli on their backs.

"We weren't strong enough" Saphira said.

"It came from nowhere" Eli said as he fell unconscious.

Eragon looked at Thorn and Murtagh both were unconscious. "What did this" Eragon asked.

"The shadow serpent" Saphira said. "It appeared from nowhere and attacked us. It led us away from the warrior and we lost him" she said before she to fell unconscious.

Eragon turned as he heard a screech and the flapping of wings. The rage of the sword burned through him as the serpent landed and folded its wings.

It was longer than Saphira its body as thick as a tree trunk and its scales as black as the night sky. Its head was that of a great bird with a long blade sharp beak a long purple forked tongue flicked out of the beak.

The creature gave an ear shattering shriek. It flexed its long scythe like talons and charged.

Eragon ran trying to get out of the way but the creature was faster. It leapt spreading its wings slightly.

Eragon fell forward and winced fully expecting to feel the talons raking his back any moment but nothing happened.

Cautiously Eragon turned and found the serpent's claws frozen an inch from his face. Suddenly the creature shrunk becoming a tiny glowing dark orb. Eragon watched as it floated to the warrior's hand.

"Roran you don't have to do this" Eragon said as the warrior came at him. Eragon blocked locking their swords together. "You were the one the people choose as their ruler not Malachi he has no power over you" he said.

The warrior ignored him broke the lock and spun catching Eragon on arm. Eragon staggered back and the warrior tripped him slicing Eragon's lower back as he fell.

Eragon howled with pain and looked up as the warrior's shadow fell over him. "Roran you don't…" Eragon started but he couldn't finish the warrior raised his sword for the killing blow and with the force of a hammer brought it down on Eragon.

But before the sword was halfway down Eragon leapt up stabbing both of his swords into the warrior's stomach.

The warrior dropped his sword and reached out and grabbed Eragon's throat unperturbed by the two swords stuck in his stomach.

Eragon struggled against the warrior's grip as he fought to breath as his vision started to fade. Eragon reached forward and grasped the mask the inner fire in his jewel flared and he tore the mask away revealing Roran's face twisted in inhuman rage with a single black scar across his face.

Blood welled from the shallow cuts where the mask had sown but the warrior didn't seem to notice as he tossed Eragon away.

"Roran wait" Eragon shouted as the warrior charged him. Eragon blocked the attack and thrust his hand forward calling on his jewel. This time instead of a pulse something like blue lightning shot from his hand hitting the warrior in the chest and throwing him back. The wet crunches snapping ribs met Eragon's ears as the warrior rose.

Anna looked on in horror. She heard the sound of cloth and turned just in time to see Malachi grab her. She screamed as he pulled her behind pillars until they were standing in front of the giant demonic gate.

"Eragon" Anna screamed before Malachi grabbed her throat to keep her quite.

Eragon turned and saw Anna but had to leave her when the warrior started attacking him again. Eragon slashed three times in rapid succession and sent the sword flying from the warrior's hand.

Eragon's hand shot out and two more small bursts of lightning hit the warrior in the legs sending him to his knees. Eragon's mind raced as he tried to figure out a way to win and not kill Roran.

Then he saw the mask on the floor. He snatched it up dropping his swords in the process. "Please work" he thought desperately. "Brisingr" he shouted as he called on his jewel again. A geyser of indigo flame erupted from his palms reducing the mask to less than nothing in seconds.

Eragon turned as he heard Roran scream. Dark tendrils rose from the ground and wrapped around him before they burst apart and Roran fell to the side. He extended his mind and sighed with relief when he felt that Roran was still alive and his wounds had healed themselves. He sat there panting and shaking from the use of power. Then he remembered Malachi and turned to the demonic gate.

"It's time only your innocent blood will release him" Malachi said to Anna as he drew a knife and plunged it deep into her palm. She screamed as Malachi sucked blood from the wound and spat it at the mirror.

Eragon ran at them picking up his swords and cross bow as he went. But he stopped dead as Anna's blood touched the mirror.

The surface became crimson and it changed from glass into a stretchy skin like material.

"Now you are free" Malachi shouted as the demon clawed the wall.

Its claws pierced it and it stepped through emerging like some kind of Hell spawned insect. The flames of its skin flared and suddenly thick metal armor in the shape of bones covered it. The demon tilted its head back and bellowed a bestial roar.

"Now Belphegor destroy this fool" Malachi said.

The monster gave another roar before it started for Eragon.

Eragon ran hiding behind a pillar as the demon approached.

The creature seemed to laugh as it smashed the pillar with a single punch.

Eragon ran to the next pillar and this time the Belphegor got stuck on one of the ceilings arches. It roared and moved around the pillar.

Eragon rolled out of the way as the beast's claw came inches from his head. He ran around the demon and faced Malachi. "Let her go" he shouted. "You can have my soul" he said as Belphegor approached him.

"Why would you risk everything even your own soul just to save one stranger" Malachi asked.

"Because she has nothing to do with this" Eragon said and drew the crossbow.

Malachi pushed Anna away raising the dagger as Belphegor prepared to strike.

Eragon pressed the trigger and the bolt zipped from the bow going cleanly through the center of Malachi's forehead.

Malachi gasped a dying breath and gold light burst from the gate sucking Malachi in. Belphegor roared and Eragon turned just in time to see the creature fragment and follow Malachi into the void.

Eragon fell to his knees and sighed. It was over.

Anna ran over to him and hugged him crying into his shoulder.

Eragon patted her on the back and muttered soothing words to her in the ancient language. Then suddenly like a crashing tidal wave the weariness of battle swept over him and he fell unconscious.


Eragon awoke as he slowly pushed himself to a sitting position. He looked around as his eyes came into focus from the hole in the wall where the Saphira, Thorn and the serpent came from he could tell that it had stopped raining and that it was nearing dawn. He turned and saw Anna asleep a few feet away.

"Well you're awake" a voice said.

Eragon turned and found Murtagh leaning against the stump of one of the columns Belphegor smashed. "What happened" Eragon asked as he rubbed his temples trying to get rid of the pounding in his head.

"We won" Murtagh said simply.

"What about Ror…" Eragon started but spun around as he heard stones shifting. A hole opened in the ground between the demonic gate and the place he sat as he watched a large altar rose from the hole.

Cautiously getting to his feet Eragon went to the altar and found words inscribed on a gold plaque set into the top. "He who is the final vessel. Bear now the Twilight's Emerald and speak aloud the words of calling to summon those who are lost to the realm of the living" he finished and turned to Murtagh. "The egg where is it" he asked.

"In the saddle bags where we left it" Murtagh said.

Eragon nodded and limped over to were Saphira and Thorn still sat asleep. Stopping to pick up Roran and lean him against Saphira. He pulled the leather satchel from Saphira's saddle bags and returned to the plaque. He pulled it open and tossed the bag aside as he held the egg. He stared at it a moment watching as the emerald surface seemed to glow and the twilight colored fragments seemed to shift then he held it forward and waited.

Nothing happened.

"The spell" Murtagh said.

Eragon looked down at the plaque and saw new words had appeared below the old ones. Eragon took a deep breath "invocato Lux obscures Archangele Iuravit anima mihi" he said aloud. He stood there silent for a long moment but still nothing happened.

"Only the final vessel can open the gate" the voice said in Eragon's mind.

"Who" Eragon thought back.

"The king" the voice whispered its voice dripping with venom. Eragon turned to look at Roran just as his cousin opened his eyes.

"Where am I" Roran asked thickly.

Eragon ran over and knelt by Roran. "Roran are you okay" he asked.

"My back is sore and I feel like someone dropped a castle on me but otherwise I'm fine" Roran said.

Eragon nodded "Roran we need your help" Eragon said.

"With what" Roran asked.

Eragon didn't answer instead he asked "can you stand."

Roran nodded and slowly got to his feet leaning against Eragon for support. They went over to the altar as Eragon handed Roran the egg and pointed out the spell.

Taking a deep breath Roran raised the egg and as he did four points of light appeared in the darkness of the gate. "Invocato Lux obscures Archangele Iuravit anima mihi" Roran said.

All was silent for a moment before the castle began to violently shake. The lights in the gate brightened until they became blinding. The lights shot out flying through the windows in four bursts of green, red, black, and white.

As the lights faded three new lights appeared. Though dimmer then the first four they were still painfully bright. There was a concussion and the three lights were thrown from the gate. They landed on the floor in front of the altar as three glowing clumps before they solidified into human shapes.

One was a man of about thirty with short black hair black stubble. He was also wrapped in several layers of chains and gags that bound him tightly.

The other two looked exactly alike. Both were tall with the same type of slim swordsman build that Zar'roc had. Both were dressed in white and had medium length dark blond hair. They groaned in unison as they rose to their feet and stretched. Then they turned towards the alter and the two pairs of ocean colored eyes fixed on Roran for a moment before a roaring gust of black wind burst from the gate.

It spun in on itself forming a tight black tornado that roared before it vanished leaving a figure in its place. The thing was barely more than a wisp of shadow but Eragon could sense the power emanating from it as it opened its glowing white eyes.

"Hear me Vessel" it said in their minds with a voice like a thousand dying screams. "Before you stands hope and destruction" it said. "One is the power you require to cast the Demon Prince from his throne and take back your realm. Well the other is a trickster. An enemy in the guise of a friend" it said. "Choose now who to bestow the Emerald's power to" it said.

Roran looked down at the egg and then up at the two identical figures that stood before him each with their face impassive as if carved from stone. "How am I supposed to choose" he asked the shadow.

"Trust your instincts" was all it said.

Roran sighed and stared at each for a long moment. As he looked at the man on the right he felt something like a mental tug pulling him towards him. Roran made his decision and pointed the egg towards the man on the right.

Suddenly the egg started to shake then it was torn form Roran's hand as it flew through the air and in to the hands of the man.

There was clap of thunder as the shadow said "it has been done" before he vanished and the gate collapsed.

Eragon felt a spell breaking in the room and in his mind's eye he saw an invisible band covering the mouth of the man on the left.

"You fool do you have any idea what you've…" the man started but was thrown back into the ruble behind him as a punch of power hit him in the chest.

Eragon turned just in time to see the dark shape touchdown. He recognized it immediately as Terra with two riders on her back.

They slipped from the saddle and stepped forward out of the shadows. "Ah Eragon you have no idea how much you've helped me today" Zar'roc said as he stepped past Eragon and Roran and up to the man holding the egg. "Welcome back" he said.

"Good to be back little brother" the man said. Eragon felt cold dread settle in the pit of his stomach as he heard the words and felt the illusions start to unravel.

The man's blond hair became jet black streaked with green as his eyes turned to a mix of green and gold. His cloths changed from a white tunic and pants into dark brown cloths and a long green coat.

"It can't be" Eragon whispered.

"Oh that's right you haven't met" Zar'roc said. "Eragon this is my brother Raziel" he said. "And Raziel this is Eragon" he said.

Raziel smiled as vanished the egg "oh I know all about him from the Shtriga" he said.

Zar'roc nodded and motioned. A chilling wind swept through the room and as it did a creature appeared in front of Raziel.

It looked like a cross between a dog and a dragon with motley colored scales and golden slit like eyes. The thing crouched and bared its fangs at Eragon.

"Go wait over there" Zar'roc said motioning towards Terra. "I have one other sibling to deal with and our fights tend to get a bit messy" he said.

Raziel nodded and walked over to stand by Terra's side the strange reptilian canine following him.

Zar'roc turned back to the other man who was now standing in a fighting pose.

"Zar'roc" he said.

"Michael" Zar'roc said his eyes flicking down to the Twilight's Revenge jewel around Michael's neck. "So how long has it been" he asked.

"Seven hundred years" Michael said.

"Well I wouldn't want to keep you waiting any longer" Zar'roc said as he smiled a sinister smile. "So come get me you traitorous snake" he said.

"You know I was just following orders" Michael said.

"Following orders" Zar'roc asked. "I was your brother" he said. "And you tore out my heart and tossed me into Hell" he shouted.

"I had no choice" Michael said. "I had to follow his orders" he said. "Because I was the good son."

"Oh don't try that crap with me Michael because I know the truth" Zar'roc said.

"And what truth is that" Michael asked.

"Let's just get this over with" Zar'roc said looking away. He looked up as he heard the sound of wings.

He turned and saw that he was surrounded by two dozen men and women in black cloaks. "Coward" he thought to himself as blades fell from the sleeves of the people surrounding him. The blades looked like a combination of a long blade knife and short sword and were devoid of any ornamentation.

Zar'roc smiled as a similar blade fell into his hand though his was slightly longer and had a pumble encrusted with Ebony jewels.

Without warning they pounced lunging for Zar'roc.

He ducked to the ground catching all of their swords on his. He spun using his sword as an axle and sent the nearest of the people sprawling.

The others backed away wary before one rushed forward.

Zar'roc caught the wrist of the man's sword hand and broke it over his shoulder snatching the sword as it fell. Zar'roc turned the blade on the man plunging it deep into his throat. The man went rigid for a moment before white light burst from him and he fell limp.

Zar'roc vanished the man's sword and looked towards where the others were and saw another two dozen had appeared and made a wall in front of Michael. Zar'roc rolled his eyes "enough of these games" he said and snapped his fingers.

There was a moment of silence before like bloody balloons every single one of Michael's defenders burst liquefying into pools of blood.

"How the mighty have fallen" Zar'roc said as he stood untouched in the circle of gore. "The great Michael Leader of the Host, Sword of the Gods, and Protector of the Light has been reduced to sending simple peons to do his dirty work" he said. "It would seem your time in the Void has reduced your power" he said and smiled. "Or perhaps it's that without your sword you are powerless" he said.

Anger sparked in Michael's eyes and he stepped forward the gore splattered sword of one of his protectors flying to his hand. "Even without the sword I'm still strong enough to stop you" he said and ran at Zar'roc.

Zar'roc smiled and dodged at the last second firing a blast of Blood power.

Michael spun mid charge and deflected it with his own blast of power creating a small explosion.

Zar'roc rushed through the smoke using it as a distraction as he coated himself in Verteer. He spun into a kick for Michael's ribs but was stopped as Michael blocked with his sword.

Zar'roc muttered something and another of the defenders' blades flew to his hand. He caught it by the blade and hurled it at Michael as he jumped away. The sword connected sinking hilt deep into Michael's chest.

Zar'roc froze and watched as Michael's eyes turned white but he cursed as Michael pulled the sword free and his eyes returned to normal.

"It will take more than that to kill me Zar'roc" Michael shouted.

"Don't worry I've got plenty more where that came from" Zar'roc shouted and vanished the blade he held as he drew Nemisis.

"That sword how did you…" Michael started but had to stop as Zar'roc slammed into him and smashed Nemisis' pumble into his chest knocking him to the ground and sending his sword flying.

"This ends here Michael" Zar'roc said as he raised Nemisis.

"Dad look out" someone shouted.

Zar'roc spun as another one of Michael's black cloaked defenders rushed him. He sliced off the man's sword hand and tore his throat from his neck in the blink of an eye.

Zar'roc turned and saw Evi standing in the large doorway at the other end of the room. "Evi what are you do…" he started but was interrupted as a burst of Twilight's Revenge power hit him in the back and sent him sprawling into a wall where he sat dazed.

"Eragon" Roran said. "Go you and Murtagh can help" he said. "If you team up with Michael maybe you can kill Zar'roc."

Eragon turned to Murtagh and he nodded as he drew his sword. Eragon sat Roran down against the altar and drew Undbitr. But before he could take a step towards Zar'roc an invisible force grabbed him and hurled him against the wall.

"Eragon" Murtagh shouted before the same force threw him as well.

Eragon tried to turn as he felt invisible bounds tether him to the wall locking him in place. He turned his head as he heard a soft laugh and saw some one walk out of the shadows by Terra.

The man had short brown hair mixed with gray slightly wrinkled skin and yellow spiral like eyes.

"Sorry kids the adults are talking" the man said before he turned back to Michael and Zar'roc.

Michael walked over to Zar'roc and seized him by the throat. "You've done too much I can't overlook it anymore" he said. "I'm sorry."

"Let him go" Evi shouted and sent a blast of Ebony power at Michael but it was blocked by a Twilight's Revenge shield.

"Restrain her" Michael said.

Evi cried out as two of Michael's defenders appeared by her and held their blades to her throat.

"You can't harm her she's innocent in this" Zar'roc said.

"That isn't for you to decide anymore" Michael said as he slammed Zar'roc against the wall. "Pizin noco iad."

Zar'roc gasped as physical and psychic pain lanced through every fiber of his being. Michael let go of Zar'rocs throat and he fell to the ground curling in on himself to try to fight the pain. "Michael I swear by the jewels and all that I am if you so much as touch her I will spend the rest of eternity ripping you apart piece by piece" Zar'roc said through gritted teeth.

"You won't be around long enough" Michael said as he knelt and drew a sigil in the blood on the floor. "Zodan renay credo za" he said and slammed his hand down on the sigil. Light burst from it and Zar'roc howled in pain before he was still.

There was silence for a moment before Zar'rocs eyes snapped open the gold in them fading to dark blue. He leapt to his feet as he backed against the wall and looked around fear plain on his face.

"How are you still here Zar'roc" Michael asked as he approached.

"What are you talking about" Zar'roc asked. "And who are you."

Michael froze "what is your name" he asked.

"Seth" Zar'roc said cautiously.

"I see I understand now" Michael said as he turned away.

"Destroy the vessel" he said as two more defenders appeared in front of Zar'roc and cautiously approached.

"Potestas inferna me confirma" someone said.

Michael turned and glared at Azazel. "Stop him" Michael shouted as three more defenders appeared.

"Potestas inferna me confirma" Azazel said again. "Potestas inferna me confirma legio" he shouted.

White light burst from the three defenders around him and the two by Zar'roc and Michael was thrown back.

"No one touches my master's vessel" he said and turned ready to destroy the two defenders holding Evi. But as he turned something like the shadow of a shadow passed over the men and they fell to their knees screaming. Azazel watched as they changed into charred blackened corpses burned from within.

"Oh no" Azazel said and turned to Eragon and Murtagh as their bounds fell away. "Cover your eyes and ears" he said.

They didn't ask why they only obeyed. and even as they did they still saw the blinding light still heard the ear shattering high pitched buzz and still heard Seth "yes I understand" before the light and sound faded.

Eragon opened his eyes and saw Zar'roc laying on the floor in a ring of scorch marks. As he watched Zar'roc slowly got to his feet and opened his eyes.

Eragon watched in horrified fascination as the blue returned to gold and changed to blood red.

"Stand up Michael" Zar'roc said his voice venomous.

Michael pushed himself to his feet and held up his sword in defense "how are you…" he started but stopped as he saw Zar'rocs eyes. "it can't be" he said.

"You and your kind have always feared me for what I was" Zar'roc said as he walked towards Michael. "But that isn't why you should be afraid" Zar'roc said as he closed his eyes and a howling wind filled the room.

It whipped around Zar'roc pulling the blood from the floor and creating a crimson tornado around him. Suddenly the wind stopped and a Zar'roc stepped from the bloody mist but he was now wearing his blood colored robes and his eyes had changed. They now looked like a mixture of molten gold and silver spiraling down to the black of his pupils and the red sigil that still glowed around them.

Eragon shuttered at what he saw. He had seen Zar'rocs blistering anger, his earth shaking fury, and his cold dark rage. But what he saw in Zar'rocs eyes was pure unchecked wrath.

"Ragnarok" the thing whispered in Eragon's mind but it sounded afraid.

"It's not possible you can't have this power" Michael said as he dropped his sword and started to back away.

"Eons ago when you cast me out it was because I tried to defend them from you. You called them weak and worthless creatures unfit to bear the power given to them" Zar'roc said. "But I was right to defend them" he said. "They are better than his creations and they are better than you" he said as he held out his hand and Michael was thrown into the wall.

"And you won't destroy them now" Zar'roc said as Nemisis appeared in his hand and he unleashed three slashes of Blood power.

With the first slash Michael's chest was ripped apart as his rib cage was brutally torn open his heart and lungs impaled on the spikes of bone. With the second slash Blood fire burst from Michael's eyes and his head fell to the floor. As it hit the ground it split open and hot ash fell out. The third slash went for his jewel but there was a flash of light and a high pitched wail before the power hit and the jewel vanished.

Zar'roc cursed silently to himself. He spun as he heard the sound of wings. Crimson flames coated Nemisis' fringe as he saw the man wearing the brown trench coat with short black hair gray green eyes. "Get out of my way" Zar'roc snarled.

"Zar'roc you can't do this let the power go" the man said.

Zar'roc growled deep in his throat as the red sigils in his eyes flared then he looked over and saw Evi and the fear on her face. He sighed and turned away as the sigils faded.

The man nodded "good" he said as a blade fell from his sleeve. He leapt forward and drove the blade into Zar'rocs back.

Zar'roc hissed and raised his hand "omnis inferna" he said. Crimson flames burst from his hand radiating outward as they searched hungrily for their target.

"Confirma ee ergo draco" the man shouted as a blue dome appeared around him and he leapt in front of Eragon and Murtagh.

The fire washed over the dome driving the man to his knees as it went straight for Eragon and Murtagh. They cried out as the flames hit them but the fire didn't burn it only slammed them against the wall knocking them unconscious.

"Vade iad inferni" Zar'roc said causing the fire to vanish. Calmly he reached around and pulled the blade from his back and tossed it away. "I don't die so easily Castiel" he said as he turned.

He cursed when he saw that Eragon, Murtagh, Roran, Saphira, Thorn, and the man had disappeared. Sighing he let the power fade and returned to normal. As the strength faded Zar'roc fell to his knees gasping.

"Dad" Evi shouted and rushed over to him followed by Azazel, Terra, and Raziel.

"I'm fine" Zar'roc said his voice strained.

"Zar'roc you know you can't use the fire without the strength of a…" Raziel started but stopped as Zar'roc glared up at him.

"I said I'm…" Zar'roc started but couldn't finish as his eyes drooped and he fell unconscious.


Eragon awoke slowly his head spinning as his blood pounded in his ears. "Where am I" he asked the dark room he was in.

"You are in salutis Concordia" said a voice.

Eragon leapt from the bed picking up Undbitr as he came to his feet and saw the dark shape. "Who are you" he asked.

There was the hiss of air igniting and the torches set into the walls flared lighting the room.

Eragon stared at the man in the brown trench coat as he recognized him as the bound man that had been thrown from the gate. "Who are you" Eragon asked again.

The man sighed and walked over to the bookshelf in the small room and plucked a volume from its shelves. "I am Castiel" he said. "An angel of the Creator."

"That's not possible" Eragon said in disbelief. As he did the torches flickered and a bright white light formed around Castiel. As Eragon watched he saw the man's shadow was only a pair of giant angelic wings.

Eragon stared in awe as the light faded "you really are an angel" he said.

"Yes and I have been sent to aid you in stopping Zar'roc" Castiel said.

"Help me you're an angel cant you kill him" Eragon asked. "I know he's a god but…"

"Zar'roc is not a god" Castiel interrupted.

"What" Eragon asked.

"The Idoian or Soul Sworn as you call them are not gods" Castiel said.

"Than what are they" Eragon asked.

"You could call them the larva form of gods" Castiel said.

"Then you can kill him" Eragon asked.

"No" Castiel said as he turned away.

"Why if he isn't a god then he is just like his demons" Eragon said.

Castiel shook his head "Zar'roc is almost nothing like his demons and he is different than all other Soul Sworn" he said.

"What do you mean" Eragon asked.

Castiel sighed and opened the book he was holding. "And then came Michael the first son of the Creator and leader of the host next was Zar'roc born of gods but born to the right the archangels…" Castiel said. "You see I can't kill Zar'roc because he isn't a demon he is an archangel" he said.

"What is an archangel" Eragon asked.

"They are a class above all other angels they are fierce. Absolute. They are heaven's most terrifying weapon" Castiel said.

"But how can Zar'roc be one" Eragon asked.

"It was simple fate" Castiel said.

"Then how am I supposed to kill him" Eragon asked.

"You don't know do you" Castiel asked

"Know what" Eragon asked.

"There are only three things that we believe can kill Zar'roc" Castiel said. "The Creator himself, Michael, and a Soul Sworn of Light" he said.

Eragon just stared "you think I'm a Soul Sworn" he asked.

"We don't think we know" Castiel said and flipped a few pages in the book.

"It is written that should a child be born from an Eth'ilet parent and an Afrit parent the child will either die or become a Soul Sworn" he said. "This is what happened to you your father's power was stronger than your mother's so you became a Soul Sworn of Light."

Eragon sighed and put the thought aside to think about later as another thought popped into his head. "If Zar'roc is an angel why do you and the other angels want him dead" he asked.

"That is a long story but I will tell you" Castiel said. "In the beginning before even the oldest of the gods there was an entity known only as the Old One. It created five gods the Creator, the Keeper, Istra, Orden, and Dac'Naca and after that he fell in to a deep slumber" he said. "Born of the three lesser gods that we call the Origins were formed the beings you know as Chaos, Pandemonium, Order, and Harmony" he said. "For a long time all lived in piece in a world without darkness. And then it happened" he said. "The Creator and the Keeper had stepped down content to let the Origins and the gods rule in their stead. During this time Chaos went mad thinking that he being the most powerful of the gods born from the Origins he should be the ruler. So he searched for a weapon strong enough to take control and he found the Old One" he said. "Taking the Old One's soul he implanted it in one of his children where it merged with their soul" he said. "That child was Zar'roc."

"That still doesn't answer my question" Eragon said.

Castiel nodded. "By doing this Chaos angered the Creator and they fought the result of the fight leaving Chaos weakened and creating the realms" he said. "For the new area the Creator created man to rule it and Istra created the Blood. And when the day came the Creator ordered that all of his angels bow to the humans and love them as they did him" he said. "Zar'roc refused and because he was the most beloved of the angels his refusal created a rebellion the likes of which you wouldn't believe" Castiel said. "But it didn't last long. In the final battle Michael was ordered by the Creator to destroy Zar'roc. And so Michael took his sword and tore out Zar'rocs heart and cast him and his rebel angels into Hell. The Creator created two cages one inside the other. The smaller held shut by six hundred seals has Zar'rocs soul and the majority of his power trapped within. The larger was meant to hold Zar'rocs mind and some of his power" he said. "Zar'roc escaped from the larger cage and that is why he needs to be stopped" he said.

"I don't understand" Eragon said.

"Everything that Zar'roc has been doing in has led up to this. Less than two weeks he will perform the ceremony to become a god and with his powers he can release Chaos" Castiel said.

Eragon paled.

"But that isn't the worst part" Castiel said.

"What could be worse" Eragon asked.

"We believe that the release of Chaos is one of sixty six seals on Zar'rocs cage that if broken will let him rise and walk free" Castiel said.

"And what happens if he does" Eragon asked.

"If Zar'roc rises Hell rises with him it will be the end of all things" Castiel said.

Eragon fell back onto the bed and groaned "and I'm supposed to stop him" he asked.

"With this" Castiel said and held up a small gold pendent.

"What is that" Eragon asked.

"It is a compass that in the hands of a Soul Sworn of Light will lead you to a special weapon" Castiel said.

"What kind of weapon" Eragon asked.

"We know of four weapons that have the power to kill Zar'roc" Castiel said. "One is Michael's sword used to kill angels and demons. Another is a crossbow with six bolts made by Order said to have the power to kill anything. Another is a dagger made from the bone of the sorcerer Lazarus when dipped in holy oil it can kill angels. And the last is Zar'rocs own sword Nemisis" he said.

"Which one does the compass lead us to" Eragon asked.

"The dagger and the crossbow however Zar'roc already has the dagger" Castiel said.

"Then we should leave now" Eragon said as he got out of bed and strapped on Undbitr.

"Eragon you need to…" Castiel started but stopped as the door burst open and a frantic looking woman in white servant's dress ran in.

"Lord Castiel" she said bowing respectfully.

"What is wrong Lisa" Castiel asked.

"It's terrible I went in to give Murtagh the medicine like you told me and he was gone" Lisa said.

"What" Eragon and Castiel shouted.

Lisa took a step back in fear "Murtagh has vanished."


Thanks to all for your reviews

Next time: Eragon and Castiel have to solve the Murtagh's memory loss and fight a enemy from the past, Zar'roc has to make a earth shaking choice, Eragon learns more of the Blood's craft, and we meet Wormwood.

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